View source for Die Heks

'''''Die Heks''''' (“''The Witch''”) by [[C. Louis Leipoldt]] is considered the first [[Afrikaans]] play of real substance. A one-act play, set in 1425, about a Cardinal (“The Hammer of the Witches”) who finds himself set to try two women as witches – and the one woman had been his lover, the other was his daughter.
 
[[C. Louis Leipoldt]] was awarded the [[Hertzogprys|Hertzog Prize]] for Drama for ''Die Heks'' and ''[[Die Laaste Aand]]'' in 1944.

== The original text ==
Originally written in English in 1911 (***), reworked in [[Afrikaans]] as '''''Die Hamer van die Hekse''''' (“''The Hammer of the Witches''”) and prepared for publication with some other pieces in 1920, though not published. Finally revised, renamed '''''Die Heks''''' and published in 1923 by [[Nasionale Pers]] (and reprinted numerous times since). 

==Translations and adaptations==
In 1975 [[André P. Brink]] created "a drama in six episodes" under the title '''''Die Hamer van die Hekse''''' based on Leipoldt's ''Die Heks''. Published by [[Tafelberg Publishers]] (1976).

== Performance history in South Africa ==
1925: ''Die Heks'' was first produced (on a double bill with Fagan's ''[[Lenie]]'') by [[Stephanie Fauré]] and [[Paul de Groot]] on 2nd May 1925, in the [[Opera House]], Pretoria, with De Groot and Faure in the leading roles, supported by [[Marguerite de Vos|Marguerite (later Greta) de Vos]], [[Herman Steytler]], [[Henri Cilliers]] and [[Elsa Niemeyer]]. The stage manager, make-up artist and set painter was [[Christiaan A. van Schaik]], with the sculptor [[Fanie Eloff]] donating the dekor and helping with technical aspects. The play then went on a short tour of Transvaal, including Volksrust. Ultimately had approximately 70 performances. Performed many times since.

1949: ''Die Heks'' was performed in the Conservatorium of the [[University of Stellenbosch]] under the direction of [[Marguerite de Villiers]] with a cast of students, including [[limpie Basson]].
 
1975: Brink's ''Die Hamer van die Hekse'' was staged by [[PACT]] in 1975, directed by [[Louis van Niekerk]], with [[Francois Swart]] (Die Kardinaal), [[Eckard Rabe]] (Vader Placido), [[Don Lamprecht]] (Broeder Eugenio), [[Johan Malherbe]] (Di Civigni), [[Franz Marx]] (Hans Swieten), [[Marius Weyers]] (Andreas Brummer), [[Wilna Snyman]] (Elsa), [[Elise Hibbert]] (Janetta), [[Annette Engelbrecht]] (Greta), [[Will Roberts]] (Hofknaap), [[Christo Potgieter]] (Hofknaap) and others. Decor and costumes by [[Johan Engels]].

2003: Brink's ''Die Hamer van die Hekse'' was presented by students of the [[University of Stellenbosch Drama Department]] in the [[H.B. Thom Theatre]], directed by [[Niël Rademan]].

== Sources ==
''[[Ons Vaderland]]'' 26 April 1925.

[[PACT]] theatre programme, 1975.

[[Petru Wessels|Petru]] & [[Carel Trichardt]] theatre programme collection.

Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]]

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